'An ever-engaging presence' - Tributes paid to Glaisdale man Giles Heron

Born in Penzance, Cornwall in 1928, and christened Antony Giles, Giles Heron was one of four children born to poet and Cresta Silks founder Tom Heron and his wife Eulalie (known as Jack).

Giles had two brothers; Michael, who grew up to become a Benedictine Monk and was the author of several books under the name Dom Benedict, and well-known abstract painter and art critic Patrick.

But perhaps closest of all his siblings was Giles’ sister Joanna, home-maker and amateur orienteering champion.

Giles studied History at Jesus College, Oxford, after doing two years National Service, in 1946 and 1947 with the Friends Ambulance Unit in France, in the effort to rebuild the country.

He was based at a chateau requisitioned as an orphanage for injured children, painting, mending, doing art with the children, playing games and setting up a vegetable garden for the kitchens.

He spent 20 years as an inspirational history teacher in private schools, rising to Deputy Head at Abbotsholme School in Uttoxeter.

In January 1963, Giles married Mary Barran and the couple were devoted to each other.

In 1973, the couple made a decision which was to change their lives, and those of many around them, Giles made a dramatic career change, and the couple moved to Bank House Farm, Glaisdale, a near-derelict hill farm, with a view to providing purposeful physical work for young people.

Giles and Mary’s "helpers" at the farm were varied - ex-pupils, some who struggled academically, some wanting work experience, some with mental health challenges and some just wanting to get away from their normal lives.

Throughout his life Giles pursued a wide range of interests, he enjoyed all types of music, especially folk and classical, art, history, politics, poetry, pantomime and other theatre, and sport, especially rugby while at school.

He also played the cello - "not to a high standard" he would say.

Chris Padmore who took over at Bank House Farm when Giles and Mary moved into the village itself paid tribute to him.

He said: “He loved to engage with people, of all social classes and intellectual abilities.

“His greatest pleasure was conversation.

“He was kind, generous, idealistic, wise, physically strong, hard-working and adventurous if not reckless.

“His 80th birthday party invitation stated Hats will be Worn (not specifying whether you had to...)”

David Moss, who lived in the Toft at Bank House Farm from 1992 to 2006 said: “Farmer Giles, Philosopher Giles. Storyteller Giles, Historian Giles, Folk Singer Giles, Author Giles, Schoolmaster Giles, Philanthropist Giles, Church Warden Giles, Pantomime Dame Giles, County Councillor Giles, Mischievous Giles, Maverick Giles, Giles always excited by seeing another Heron, and all the countless other Giles’ I’ve missed out. ”Whole lifetimes in every Giles.

“Giles of many hats, each worn with the fullest dedication to its intention and style. Each perched above a well placed comment, a ringing laugh, a winding yarn, and those dark sparkling eyes, anticipating the next opportunity to offer help, or to listen in order to understand an impossible situation, to give a thoughtful observation about a piece of art, or to bellow instructions across a field in a horizontal Yorkshire hailstorm.

"Thank you for your ever-engaging presence – in collaboration with Mary.

"Above all, thank you Generous Giles. Many times over. Well played.”

Giles Heron’s funeral will be held on Wednesday January 7 at 11am at St Thomas' Church in Glaisdale.

Afterwards at the Robinson Institute, Glaisdale from 12.30-2.30.

Further enquiries Robert Harrison and Sons, Glaisdale.